It’s not easy to be a human being, and it’s especially not easy to be a teen.

Teens need a safe environment to open up and be themselves while feeling heard and validated. I help teenagers feel understood by assisting them with understanding their emotional and lived experiences. It is my deepest honor to build a relationship with your teen based on trust and authenticity. It is my hope that from this foundation of relationship, built over time, that your teen will be able to explore who they are and what they need. I work collaboratively and respectfully with teenagers to formulate the tools to enhance their self-esteem, form healthy and meaningful relationships, and regulate their emotions or manage their stress effectively.

Tweens and teens often think that they have to fit in to belong, but as Brene Brown writes, “Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging…doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are”. When teens come to know that they belong no matter what, it gives them the courage to be more authentic in every situation. That’s my hope for your teen.

I will actively collaborate with families while also respecting and prioritizing your teens’ boundaries and confidentialities. During my individual work with teens, I will confirm with them about when it would be helpful to engage family members. I also explain to teens that if there is a threat of harm to self or others, that it is my duty as a professional to protect them via collaboration with family, and/or external support systems. Teen safety and well-being is my priority.